More than $1.4 million has been spent on cleaning up graffiti and tagging around Wyndham in the past four years.
Wyndham council figures reveal that the council has forked out more than $1.35 million since the 2013-14 financial year to have contractors remove illegal graffiti across the city. Corrections Victoria has spent another $54,000 in Wyndham graffiti removal over the same period.
Councillor Peter Maynard said it was a disgrace that so much money was being spent on removing graffiti.
“That money could be well spent on other things,” Cr Maynard said.
The council recently endorsed a new five-year plan to reduce the prevalence of graffiti in the area, and boost graffiti removal rates and enforcement by:
•Removing offensive graffiti within one working day;
•Removing graffiti on Wyndham council assets within three working days from the time the council is alerted;
•Regularly auditing graffiti hot spots;
•Running a graffiti hotline during the working week;
•Providing graffiti removal kits free to the community at the council depot and a number of community centres;
•Reporting all graffiti and tagging to police; and
•Working with traders to restrict the selling or supply of spray cans to minors.
The council will also establish more locations for legal street art, after launching its first “hit up” wall under the Heaths Road bridge in Werribee in January in a bid to encourage art, but discourage vandalism of public and private properties in other parts of the city.
The walls are one of a number of measures the council is adopting to reduce graffiti, with 15 VicRoads traffic signal boxes recently painted by artists.
Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio holder Tony Hooper said these initiatives gave street artists a chance to show off their work without breaking the law.
“While some street art is genuinely impressive and is considered a legitimate art form, illegal graffiti is a persistent issue in Wyndham,” Cr Hooper said.
Residents can report illegal graffiti by calling 8734 2709 or emailing graffiti@wyndham.vic.gov.au
